Jazz Vespers at St. John’s United Church Announces 16th Season
by Bernadette Greene
Jazz Vespers at St. John’s United Church begins its 16th season on September 7th, when singer/songwriter/pianist Morry Stearns takes the stage. Joining him will be bassist Joey Smith and drummer Bradley Clarke.
Did you know that Jazz Vespers began in New York in the 1960’s as a church service of prayer and jazz designed for the city’s jazzmusicians who couldn’t make it to Sunday morning services after playing late Saturday night gigs? St. John’s United Church recognizes the strong link between music and spirit and realizes that providing a venue in North Saanich for the multitude of high-caliber musicians in the Victoria area is a benefit not just for the church, but also for our rural community and local musicians. Unlike in jazz clubs or restaurants, the musicians, usually in trios and quartets, have an attentive audience who come just to listen. It’s a great way to wind down from the weekend and feel refreshed at the outset of a new week.
St. John’s Vespers program began in February of 2007, taking a three-year hiatus during Covid. The service is approximately one hour of mostly jazz music and a short spiritual reflection, in an intimate candle-lit setting. It offers an opportunity for quiet contemplation, and appreciation of high-quality jazz from local musicians.
Over the years, many world-class musicians (including Juno and Grammy winners) have graced the stage of Jazz Vespers. These include Michael Kaeshammer, Al Pease, Karel Roessingh, Quinn Bachand, Joey Smith, Nick LaRiviere, Louise Rose, Ian McDougall, David Vest, Kelby MacNayr, Damian Graham, Edie DaPonte, and so many more.
A long-time member of David Foster’s Canadian band, Morry Stearns, will open the 16th season of Jazz Vespers. He has performed with the likes of Celine Dion, Nelly Furtado, Bryan Adams and Gordon Lightfoot. He has also performed and/or recorded with other well-known musicians including Michael McDonald, Peabo Bryson, Christina Aguilera, Toots Thieleman and Burton Cummings, and he was nominated for a songwriter grammy for a song on Peabo Bryson’s ‘Unconditional Love’ album.
Bassist and guitarist Joey Smith toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra as bassist and arranger for two-and-a-half years. He has also played with a long list of jazz luminaries includingCleo Laine, Herb Ellis, Rosemary Clooney, Charlie Byrd, John Dankworth, Karel Roessingh, Mark Atkinson, Daniel Lapp and CanUS. In addition, he has appeared at numerous jazz festivals in Canada and the US, including a performance at Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. He works as an arranger and freelance musician playing bass and guitar with local traditional and contemporary jazz groups and teaches at the Victoria Conservatory of Music.
The service will be led by St. John’s new minister, Rev. John Crowdis. John has a musical background and is looking forward to being a part of the Jazz Vespers community.
Jazz Vespers continues on October 5th with Broke and Blue performing selections from Claude Bolling’s hugely popular and critically acclaimed Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio. Broke and Blue is a quartet inspired by and specializing in Bolling’s work, and other similar music that combines classical and jazz elements.
On November 2nd, pianist David Vest and his trio will bring his inimitable and highly entertaining blend of Southern-bred boogie and blues to Jazz Vespers.
And on January 4th, Jazz Vespers favourite Karel Roessingh will perform jazz standards and originals with his trio.
Jazz Vespers services begin at 7:00 p.m. St. John’s United Church is located at 10990 West Saanich Road, across from Deep Cove School. An offering will be taken to fairly compensate the musicians and cover the Vespers program (suggested donation is $20 per person). Everyone is welcome.
